The FMA said it will continue to support Carneiro and stated that priority should be given to protecting players’ safety.

It added: “The FMA strongly believe that in matters pertaining to a player’s health and safety, respect for the integrity of the medical professional is paramount.

“The FMA will continue to offer support to Eva on a professional level through what is likely to be a difficult time.”

Caneiro parted company with Chelsea following the incident on the opening day of the season when she was criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard. It is likely she will launch legal action claiming constructive dismissal.

Mourinho was unhappy with Carneiro because it meant Hazard had to leave the field and Chelsea were temporarily down to nine men. As a result she was dropped from first-team duties.

The incident against Swansea saw head physiotherapist Jon Fearn also go onto the pitch and Mourinho said at the time: “I was unhappy with my medical staff. They were impulsive and naive.

“Whether you are a kit man, doctor or secretary on the bench you have to understand the game.”

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said the system – where referees and players judge whether to call doctors onto the pitch – worked well.

He believes players’ health should not be put at risk if team doctors feel any reluctance to go on the field in the wake of Carneiro’s departure.

Taylor told Press Association Sport: “The health and safety of our members is of paramount importance and the need, when required, for prompt assessment and treatment is critical in ensuring this.

“The player and the referee are the initial judges as to whether treatment is required and, the matter is then the responsibility of the highly qualified and trained medical staff.

“This protocol has worked successfully in past seasons and we can see no justifiable reason to move away from this.”

Football Association board member Heather Rabbatts, the chair of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, has expressed her “anger and sadness” at news of Carneiro’s departure from the club.